There is one big difference between the Democrats and the American public, speaking of both generally.
The public is divided on Iraq because they have been ill informed and lied to. The Democrats are divided because the majority of them are craven cowards and amoral political calculators.
Posted by James E. Powell at July 7, 2006 05:12 PMThe way I read it, two-thirds of Americans don't see the point of staying the course.
Also, most Americans are not confused about the reason we're in Iraq. The administration doesn't know or doesn't want to say; therefore an overwhelming majority certainly don't know why we're there and what it is that we're supposedly gaining from Bush's war. Americans know in their gut there's something profoundly wrong about Bush's war and they're right.
Finishing Afghanistan, which is largely a matter of leadership and commitment (which presently doesn't exist), is probably something a majority of Americans would favor.
But to my mind, here's the real issue this fall and it may not be that easy to frame. We cannot trust Bush on domestic policy. We cannot trust Bush on foreign policy. And we cannot trust Bush on anti-terrorism policy. The president is not honest with the American people and it's rare that we see competence from the administration. Under these circumstances, staying the course is unacceptable.
We need a majority of Democrats just to keep Bush honest until 2009 and to get our nation back on track. If Democrats win a house, it will only be the beginning of repairing Washington. It will take two or three election cycles to get the minimum job done. In fact, some are already arguing that it may take a generation to repair most of the damage Bush has managed to do.
Posted by Craig at July 7, 2006 05:58 PMDmcrts hv lrnd nw wrd, rdplymnt, bt thy r bfsctng bt ts nw mnng: srrndr; ct-n-rn.
[Editor: ignore=off]Poor bendittobot, its programmers have taken the week off and it's been left to spew last week's talking points. You're only as good as your user, right, bendittobot?
Posted by iamcoyote at July 7, 2006 06:56 PMPoor Benito, can't come up with something original on his own. "Cut and run" isn't working honey. Most of the Country is onto this meaningless tripe by the GOP.
Posted by Judith at July 7, 2006 07:24 PM"Democrats are divided because the majority of them are craven cowards and amoral political calculators."
Now coming from a Republican, that is funny.
If I hear the term 'cut and run' again, a pol-hack term if ever there was one, I'll puke. What do Georgie, Dick, and Donny know about 'cutting and running', when they have never had to run. The chickenshit cowards. (chickens and cows, please excuse me for including you in this debacle).
Fuck these idiots. Put 5 stars on each of them, and send them to the Western Iraqi provinces and Baghdad. If they survive that (like yeh), give them the Medal of Honor, and tell them to run across the country. That is democracy, folks. Or my very annoyed version of it.
Posted by tempus at July 7, 2006 07:40 PM"Democrats are divided because the majority of them are craven cowards and amoral political calculators."
Now coming from a Republican, that is funny.
I've been called a lot of nasty things in my life, but a Republican? That's not just inaccurate, that's messed up.
Posted by James E. Powell at July 7, 2006 08:52 PMWhat makes you so sure the Republicans will vote against permanent troop presence and bases? They've said that the troops will come home. And with respect to bases, nothing is ever permament.
Posted by Pete at July 7, 2006 09:11 PMSteve, I wonder if it would make sense for Democrats to bring up a resolution calling for no confidence in Donald Rumsfeld? I notice that Rumsfeld is the one topic Republicans seem to shy away from. If Cheney is down around 20% approval, Rumsfeld must be around that territory if not lower. It's obvious that most of the senior officer corps despise him and it's obvious that Rumsfeld has made repeated blunders and yet he remains on the job.
It seems every time Bush is forced to defend Rumsfeld, the president drops a notch or two.
Posted by Craig at July 7, 2006 09:42 PMGee, if only we can now get everybody out to vote!
My apathetic friends refuse, say it's all rigged!
Seven of Six, do your friends think Bush's falling poll numbers are rigged? I don't.
In the days when the Soviet empire (yeah that one) dominated eastern Europe, there were reformers who considered voting good practice for the day when it counted; they were ready when the time came. These are troubled times but we're not even close to that situation. Not by a mile.
In the meantime, it might be good to suggest to people that they call their local Democratic headquarters and volunteer (just type in Democratic Headquarters and the name of your city, county or state until you find a phone number).
Posted by Craig at July 8, 2006 12:32 AMIf I may be so bold, based on his many posts here I think that Mr. Powell is an insightful and card carrying progressive. He just happens to be disgusted with the weakness of our Dems, as are many here. If only his views were "Republican"!
Lots of good points by craig---I just can't understand why "we simply can't trust this president without oversight" isn't the main Dem theme for the upcoming election. It's a national theme, it gives a basis for voting for Dems regardless of "local" issues, it's a unified, easy message.
Is it just viewed as too "controversial"?---after all of Nero's power grabs, lies and abject failures? Instead it's more of the lame-o same: "we can do better!" Sheesh.
Posted by euzoius at July 8, 2006 05:50 AMDemocrats have learned a new word, redeployment, but they are obfuscating about its new meaning: surrender; cut-n-run.
Very true. Liberals don't support the troops:
Like the anti-coagulant bandages promised the troops but they still don't have. Like the body armor the troops still supply on their own. Like the up-armored HUMVEEs that never arrived. Like stuffing soldiers full of meds to keep them functioning. Stop-loss. Cutting veterans benefits. Grunts making $18,000. a year telling Mercs making $140,000. a year what to do. Improper food. Faulty munitions. Stupidity beyond all belief.
Yes, we liberals did this stuff. Wait a second! You're the traitor that supports this stuff! We'll send some wounded Vets of Iraq to visit you and have a little chat. Play baseball? You know, like Capone did?
Posted by phidipides at July 8, 2006 08:41 AMoozo: How about "bring back checks and balances".
Posted by TIKI AL at July 8, 2006 02:57 PMTIKI---I like it!
And short enough for a bumper sticker, too!
I suppose the weakness is whether 50% of Americans have a clue as to what the words "checks and balances" and "oversight" even mean.
Posted by euzoius at July 9, 2006 05:44 AMoozo: you're right, they would think we were promoting more banking regulation to add more turpentine to their consumer stinging asses.
Posted by TIKI AL at July 10, 2006 12:42 AM